Tag Archives: Columbus Day

Astoria got together this past weekend to celebrate the 36th Annual Christopher Columbus Day Parade.

On Saturday, October 12, together with Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., former Speaker Peter Vallone Sr., Assemblymember Aravella Simotas and other local officials, the procession marched from 34th Avenue down to Astoria Boulevard and 33rd Street.

The Grand Marshal of the parade, which is presented by the Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens, Inc., was Minister Natalia Quintavalle, Italian Consul General of New York.

During the primary race for Senate District 15 this summer, now-Republican nominee and Councilmember Eric Ulrich picked up a major endorsement from former Governor George Pataki.

This fall, State Senator Joseph Addabbo, running for his third term, has seen Ulrich’s bet and raised him an incumbent.

Governor Andrew Cuomo endorsed Addabbo on Monday, October 8 at the outset of the Columbus Day Parade in Manhattan.

In his endorsement, Cuomo noted that Addabbo, and the legislature, had been productive in voting on tough issues, and in the end, he said, made the correct decision when voting.

“Now, a number of elected officials are in difficult elections, I believe, in part, because of votes they took,” Cuomo said.

The first-term governor added that Addabbo had “political courage” to stand up for issues and the people he represented.

“And I want his constituents to know today that he is a man of conscience, he is a man of integrity, he is a man of courage, and that’s what you want in an elected official — especially in Albany,” he said.

Addabbo said of the endorsement that he looked forward to continuing to work with Cuomo in Albany for another two years and work toward the number of problems facing the state.

“I look forward to continue working with Governor Cuomo to improve educational opportunities, create jobs, fight for stronger gun control, and once again be proud of our state government,” Addabbo said.

The candidates are set for several debates with less than a month until voters — from Maspeth all the way to Rockaway — cast their ballot on November 6 to see if Addabbo goes back to Albany in December, or if Ulrich will be taking the Taconic to work.

The Howard Beach Columbus Day Parade has been postponed with a date to be announced at a later time, an organizer said.

Mario Faulisi, head of Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation Inc., said the organization is working on a date for the parade and hopes it continues on.

“There’s a lot of hard work that goes into this and we want it to keep going,” he said.

The foundation will still hold its annual dinner dance on Tuesday, October 23, at Russo’s on the Bay starting at 6:30 p.m. The honorees include the Reverend Ronald Marino, Cavalier Tony DiPiazza, Jack Lasalla and Louis Grochi.

New York City subway riders may notice they are waiting a little longer for the train today.

Columbus Day marks the first time the MTA has implemented its “minor holiday” schedule.

After studying minor holidays, the agency discovered ridership levels are often less than 75 percent of peak ridership. The reduction in service on these days will be smaller than the reduction in ridership, according to the MTA. This is a pilot program that will see expansion if successful.

The “minor holidays” that will see service reduced are: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Good Friday, Columbus Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve (when it falls on a Monday through Thursday), three weekdays following Christmas and New Years Eve (when it falls on a Monday through Thursday).

This weekend will be the first of five planned service suspensions on the No. 7 line. There will be no service on the train between Times Square and Queensboro Plaza beginning at 11:30 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. on Monday.

The suspension allows for the installation of a new signal system called CBTC – Communications Based Train Control.

The service suspensions will also take place during the weekends of October 28-31, November 4-6, November 11-14 and November 18-21.

Riders can use the E, F, N or Q trains to travel between Manhattan and Queens. Free shuttle bus service will be provided between Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue and Queensboro Plaza. Q train service will be extended to and from Astoria-Ditmars Blvd. during the daytime hours. In Manhattan, the 42nd Street S shuttle will operate overnight throughout the weekend.

No garbage pickup on Columbus Day

In observance of Columbus Day on Monday, October 10, there will be no garbage or recycling collection or street cleaning.

Alternate side parking will be suspended on Columbus Day and post offices will be closed.

Residents who normally receive Monday garbage collection should place their trash out at curbside Monday after 5 p.m. for pickup. Those receiving Monday recycling collection will not have their recycling picked up until the following Monday, October 17.

This Sunday, Howard Beach will be awash with Italian pride as the Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation Inc. presents its 6th annual Columbus Day Parade.

Beginning at noon on Cross Bay Boulevard, there will be floats, live entertainment, Italian delicacies and specialties (zeppole anyone?), elected officials — and a lot of “orgoglio” (pride).

Previous parades have drawn thousands of spectators and honorees such as Rosanna Scotto from Fox 5.

The Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation is a non-profit organization whose goal is to promote the Italian culture and well-being of society by scholarships, educational programs and community activities.

Every year, the Foundation celebrates the largest Italian-American Columbus parade. Spectators travel as far as from Italy to participate in the enjoyment of the parade.

The Foundation rewards its members and supporters by a Dinner Dance Gala to commemorate their hard work and dedication. This year, it will recognize six honorees: Nicholas DiMarzio, Roman Catholic bishop, diocese of Brooklyn; Sergeant Anthony Cesarano, president of the NYPD Columbia Association; Mitchell Weiss, NYPD chief clergy liaison; Josephine Maietta, board member of Italian Heritage and Culture Committee of New York; former U.S. Senator Alfonse D’Amato and entertainer Angelo Venuto.

The Gala will be held on September 29 at 6:30 p.m. at Russo’s On The Bay.